"The Author, it must be remembered, writes from his own standpoint!"My personal "Interpretive" Lens!

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"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour

"Ideally, your self-defense will never get physical. Avoiding the situation and running or talking you way out - either of these is a higher order of strategy than winning a physical battle." - Wise Words of Rory Miller, Facing Violence: Chapter 7: after, subparagraph 7.1:medical

"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon

Warning, Caveat and Note:The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.

Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.

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What is "Ki," really?

Ki [気]

True ki, my theory. There are stories and posts on "ki" as an energy. A term for the martial arts that is most often thought of as a form of energy with no real definition to attach but here in this post I will try to convey my theory, my perception, as to what "ki" is.

Ki is a combination of things with the three main essentials being "spirit, mind, and body." This is insufficient to convey a meaning understandable to all who practice martial arts.

So, lets start with spirit. How does one develop and strengthen spirit and how does that add to ki in the overall fundamental meaning of energy? Mind-set, attitude and intestinal fortitude to name a few. Development of the spirit through these and other traits that strengthen the mind and by that strengthen the body.

Have you ever witnessed a person of large size with an appearance of great strength who when confronted by the unknown huddles and sniffles like a new born scared baby? When you defeat an opponent who outweighs you is it strength of body, mind or spirit - try spirit, that attitude and belief of self that allows you to do amazing things.

Ki is composed of spirit.

Now, how about the mind. The level of strength within the mind governs how the body acts, reacts or takes actions. It can make the difference in whether one can move mountains or simply roll up on the floor in a ball and become like a child. Tasking and straining the mind can be done by confronting your greatest fears and by physically taking your body, thus your mind, to beyond its perceived limits into exhaustion - shugyo.

Witness how masters of marital arts in the late or winter years of life can still take on young strong athlete type martial artists with apparent ease or stop an attacker by their mere presence.

Ki is composed of mind.

Third, lets talk about body. This one is last but important for it has effects and affects all three for it is how we handle our bodies that brings about a stronger spirit and mind. It is tasking the body to do things that are perceived as far and above individual capability to demonstrate that there are no limits of the body thus the spirit and mind that cannot be reached if all three are wholeheartedly and holistically practiced, trained and applied in both martial arts and life.

The body needs a variety of things to become strong and to be able to endure and act at its absolute peak. Mental attitude is first for it feeds a stronger chemical dump from the brain and other chemical body producing areas for maximum body efficiency in everyday activities to combat modes. Then there is its yin of fuel, the foods that are burned by the body to give the cells, muscles, bones, mind and spirit the fuel to generate the fire that is energy - ki.

What you put in for fuel is also a determinate as to energy levels and how well that energy is dispersed to the body, mind and spirit. The body also needs a mixture, like fuel and air for the combustion engine, so proper breathing methods are necessary to get the right mixture's to burn the fuel that runs the body, mind and spirit.

Mix in a bit more mechanics so the body is at its best, i.e. learning and applying fundamental principles that maximize the bodies functioning in all area's of physical movement, etc. Things like economic movement, body alignment and posture are but a few directly affecting the body and its efficiency. This efficiency also determines the amount of energy applied in movement and in the final technique application. The more the body or fundamentals are deviated from in application the greater the drain of energy internally that will not be applied externally and efficiency drops burning fuel inefficiently taking away maximum energy consumption and use.

Ki is composed of the body.

This explanation is far from complete. Ki is not some mystical energy that is like magic but a completely physical and psychological manifestation of efficiency that promotes what can be perceived as magical actions. Ki is what is generated and used when the mind perceives a great danger that allows small petite women to lift a car to save a child, their child. The difference is spirit and mind because the body when treated and used justly, correctly and efficiently can already do wondrous things.

This Internet Site is for informational purposes only, strictly an academic endeavor, so do not try to practice or utilize any of the information contained herein with out close mentoring by a complete and fully qualified Sensei.

Your participation is voluntary when you practice FA/MA so the onus is on you to provide for your own safety. You MUST have a qualified Sensei and you MUST have a physician's health assessment along with his/her approval to enter into and participate in any and all fighting/martial art.

Understand that to participate continually and diligently you will be voluntarily submitting your mind and body to potentially dangerous activity that is strenuous with both mental and physical challenges. Your practice, both in the Dojo and on your own, opens you to possible injuries that can result in permanent disability, deformity, or even death.

It is your responsibility to remain focused, aware, and take appropriate actions to provide for your own safety, health, and well-being. If any part of your practice is questionable you are the only one responsible to bring it to Sensei's attention and to either participate of not. You MUST work within your personal limitations.

Disclaimer!

Every effort is being made to make this blog site as accurate as possible. However, there may be mistakes, both typographical and in content. Therefore, this blog should be used only as a general guide and not the ultimate source of practicing and training in the fighting arts. Furthermore, this blog site contains information on the fighting arts that is current only up to the publishing date and time.

The purpose of this blog site is to educate and entertain. The author shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused , directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this blog site.

When it comes to martial arts, fighting arts or self-defense, etc. nothing here no matter how well presented, can substitute for qualified professional, hands on instruction provided that instructor is properly educated and trained. This blog site and all its materials are for academic study ONLY.

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